Aston Martin Lagonda SUV on Track, Seen as Key to Success in China

CEO Says to Expect Updated Concept in Coming Year

British automotive magazine Autocar is reporting that Aston Martin is still actively developing an SUV, which will likely bear the Lagonda name and that a second concept is should be expected in the coming year. The first Lagonda SUV concept was shown at the 2009 Geneva auto show, where it was met with what could generously be called a lukewarm response.

The main reason why Aston Martin is doubling down on the Lagonda consists of just five letters: China, a market where buyers love ultra-high-end SUVs but exotic sports cars have yet to catch on the way they have in the U.S. and Europe. It's the same reason why the likes of Bentley and Lamborghini recently waded into the SUV world with the EXP 9 F and Urus concepts, respectively.

Worldwide, sales of exotic luxury coupes have been down, and full recovery of the segment isn't expected until 2014, prompting luxury brands to diversify their product lineups with new models such as SUVs.